Well, the first round of playoffs are now over in both the Northern and Frontier Leagues. I am very happy to say that both of the teams that we follow here at Chicago Minor League Review are still in the thick of it and have made it into the second round. OK, I guess that last sentence shows my bias. We also follow the Rockford Riverhawks and they are now eliminated, and I am more of a Windy City Thunderbolts fan.

Still, the games have been exciting.

THE NORTHERN LEAGUE

The Gary SouthSore Railcats versus the Winnipeg Goldeyes

Apparently nothing has come easy for the Railcats this season. They may have won the first half in their division, but they struggled during the second half. So it only stands to reason that every time they managed to get ahead of the Goldeyes, the Goldeyes managed to find a way to come back and beat the Railcats. The games went back and forth all weekend, but the Railcats finally were able to win that all-important third game to win the best out of five series.

September 7

FINAL SCORE: Railcats 3 Goldeyes 7 (Goldeyes jump ahead 2 games to 1)

September 8

FINAL SCORE: Railcats 3 Goldeyes 1 (series tied 2-2)

September 9

FINAL SCORE: Railcats 5 Goldeyes 3 (Gary wins series)

No games are scheduled for Monday

THE FRONTIER LEAGUE

The Windy City Thunderbolts vs. The Rockford Riverhawks 

Whereas the Railcats had to struggle in their match-up against Winnipeg, the Windy City Thunderbolts have come into their first post-season appearance with both guns blazing. They may have stumbled a bit during the second half of their season, but their momentum from dominating the first half has carried through. The Riverhawks had the experience and had been in the post-season many times. They were expected to count on that experience to carry them into the post-season and mount a challenge against the ‘Bolts. So, the ‘Bolts swept the Riverhawks and continue in their run for their first championship.

September 7

FINAL SCORE: Thunderbolts 8 Riverhawks 6

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